We travelled from Chennai by train – the newly introduced “Faizabad Express” (16794) that runs from Ayodhya to Rameswaram. The train leaves Chennai Egmore at 18:50 to reach Rameswaram next day morning 07:10. It was a new route, the coaches were brand new and comfortable, with bio-toilets that don’t dirty the tracks with its waste.

Second AC coaches – Faizabad Express“Faizabad Express” (16794) that runs from Ayodhya to RameswaramTrain as it goes over the historic Pamban BridgeFishing boats as seen from Pamban BridgeMini truck going over the new road bridge to Pamban villageRameswaram Station

We stayed at Daiwik Hotels Rameswaram, which was one of the best hotels in town.

After settling down in the hotel and a bath, we went for a darshan at the famous Ramanathaswamy Temple on Rameswaram Island dedicated to the God Shiva. It is one of the 274 Paadal Petra Sthalams, where the three of the most revered Nayanars (Saivite saints) have glorified the temple with their songs. The temple was expanded during the 12th century by Pandya Dynasty. The presiding deity, the Lingam of Ramanathaswamy (Shiva), is believed to have been established and worshipped by Rama, an avatar of the God Vishnu, to absolve the sins created during the Ramayana war at Sri Lanka. According to Skānda Purāṇa, twenty-four Tīrthas (holy water bodies) that are on this island are important. Bathing in these Tīrthas is a major aspect of the pilgrimage to Rameswaram and is considered equivalent to penance. Twenty-two of the Tīrthas are within the Rāmanāthasvāmī Temple, hence you will see on any given day thousands of pilgrims queueing for the holy bath. As pilgrims move around in half-dried clothes, the corridors in the temple can be wet – the elderly have to be careful while walking.

South tower of Ramanathaswamy TemplePilgrims near the east tower entrancePilgrims queueing for the holy bath at the 22 theerthams of the templeRameswaram is famous for its handy craft items made from conch and seashells – a shop selling decorative lamp holdersEvery inch of the temple is sculptured elegantly with images of Gods and GoddessessMain tower (Tower) of Ramanathaswamy Temple, RameswaramBeautifully decorated temple corridor, one of the longest in IndiaEast-West Corridor is 649 feet long; North-South Corridor is 395 feet; Each Pillar is 22 feet in height. Overall 1212 Pillars are at Ramanathaswamy Temple, RameswaramMythical lions and devas are depicted in every pillarEven the ceilings are beautifully painted – Rameswaram temple corridors

After having a good darshan, we went for a boat ride on the sea near Rameswaram temple. The joyride was operated by a small outfit who charged Rs.60 per person for the 30-minute ride on the sea close to the shore. Apart from us, there were about 50 passengers who went on the ride, which were being operated continuously during the day.

With my friend E.Ravi (on the left)One of the bathing ghatsView from sea all the four gopurams of Ramanathaswamy temple, Rameswaram

On the second day, we decided to first visit Dhanushkodi (தனுஷ்கோடி) town which was destroyed completely during the 1964 cyclone and remains uninhabited for decades. A few months back, during the visit by Prime Minister Of India, a new road was constructed connecting Dhanushkodi to Rameswaram Island. We were told by local residents, after the new road, thousands of tourist are visiting Dhanushkodi every day and tourism is booming.

Dhanushkodi (தனுஷ்கோடி) town – National Highway 49(நீர்) இருக்கும்வரை உன் நினைவிருக்கும் – பென்னிகுயிக். A poem dedicated to British Engineer John Pennycuick who built Mullaiperiyar dam.India Post – Post Office functioning from a hutTurkey?Old railway station – DhanushkodiWhat remains of the old railway station – DhanushkodiWhat remains of the destroyed railway trackInside view of the front wall of the destroyed ChurchFront facade of the destroyed Church – DhanushkodiRuins of the chapel – DhanushkodiRuins of the Hindu Temple, standing next to the Chapel – DhanushkodiMore ruins – DhanushkodiDestroyed houses in Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi was off-limits for civilians for many decades, during that period it was rumoured to be a heaven of smuggling and for being the port of entry for illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka during the civil war in that country. Now, it feels like any other popular tourist destination in India – crowded with people everywhere, hundreds of vehicles and shops selling everything from showpieces to coconut water.

Shops selling seashells and even ‘lays’ chipsHundreds of tourists visiting the pristine beaches in DhanushkodiA man enthusiastically posing for his picturePink sugar candy seller with a bell to sound his arrivalVenkatarangan on a boat to nowhereAnchor, rusted?Pristine waves on the shore of DhanushkodiRavi captured this spontaneous smileColourful fishing netThe National emblem of India featuring four Asiatic lions standing back to back. At the bottom is a horse and a bull, and at its centre is a wheel (Dharma Chakra).

After Dhanushkodi, we went for a quick darshan at Kothandaramar Temple (கோதண்டராமர் திருக்கோயில்) which is on the way from Rameswaram to Dhanushkodi.

Kothandaramar Temple (கோதண்டராமர் திருக்கோயில்)This holy place is where Lord Rama conducted crowning (Pattabhisekam) of Vibheeshunar, brother of King Ravana after the battleThe temple tower depicting Goddess Seetha, God Rama and his brother Lakshmana along with Hanuman and Vibhheeshunar

After lunch, we went to Vivekananda Memorial Hall, which marks the place where Swami Vivekananda landed on his return from his historic visit to America. It is situated about 5 kilometres from the main road, peaceful, ideal for meditating and free of the tourist crowd. You get brilliant view of Pamban road bridge from here.

Vivekananda Memorial Hall, RameswaramSwami Vivekananda (சுவாமி விவேகானந்தர்) 1863-1902On his return from west, Swami Vivekananda was received by King of Ramnad Bhaskara Sethupathy – 26 January 1897Beach behind the Vivekananda Hall

Our last stop for the visit was to the new Pamban road bridge (Annai Indira Gandhi road bridge) which connects the National Highway (NH 49) with the Rameswaram island.

Though prohibited, tourist vehicles stop on top of the road bridge for a good viewFishing hamlets as seen from Pamban road bridgeFishing boatsThe Railway men repairing the track – Pambam rail bridgeIconic Pambam rail bridgeVenkatarangan in front of the Iconic Pambam rail bridge

Overall, the long-awaited trip to Rameswaram was fun and spiritual too.